Band : Caffe-In
Led by spark plug front woman, Sayu, Caffe-In has pulled off what many bands attempt but rarely achieve: a studio album which captures all the energy of the live performance. Though the album does slip in some saccharine moments, when Caffe-In strays from their SoCal ska/punk roots, things get interesting. Staccato island rhythms, arrpegiated guitars and acoustic ballads keep the record from sounding like another predictable pop punk shred fest. The melodic number which opens the album leads to “Bomb Girl,” a necessary display of the band’s punk credentials. Half way through the record, though, the band’s versatility comes out. When Sayu’s vocals jettison teenage affectation for emotive potential, Caffe-In really shines. “Lost My Life,” the one song written completely in English, is a sincere, slow number, proving that revealing your soft side is not against the rules.

Damon McMahon